Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
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LGA Reponds to North-East Devolution Deal
Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association responds to the announcement that a devolution deal has been agreed with the North-East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority.
"We are pleased to see further progress on devolution deals for the North-East which will be great news for those living in the region.
"To build desperately-needed homes, create jobs, provide the dignified care for our elderly and boost economic growth, all councils need greater freedom from central government to take decisions over vital services in their area.
"Devolving down to England's big city regions will generate billions of pounds worth of economic growth. It is also important to remember county and rural areas account for roughly half of England's economy and population, meaning their economic potential is as significant as that of big cities.
"Dozens of other places, including non-metropolitan areas, have also put in ambitious devolution deals to the Government with innovative proposals over how to spend money and improve services and we hope to see more of these deals also finalised in the coming months. Ambitious nationwide devolution would boost the economy by £80 billion and will clearly require different approaches for different areas, including allowing those areas to choose how they are governed.
"Devolution is not an end in itself though. If our public services are to survive the next five years, councils also need to be given fairer funding alongside the freedom to take their own spending decisions."
